THE BBC has been branded "irresponsible" for allowing former Lib Dem leader Charles Kennedy on Question Time last night.

Twitter erupted after the MP appeared to be slurring during the show, he even had to ask if some of the questions be repeated.

The MP, who in the past has admitted to struggling with alcoholism, was invited onto the flagship discussion programme by the BBC directly.

One Twitter user, @CarmanDominic, tweeted: “It is embarrassing, unfortunate and irresponsible to allow #charleskennedy on #bbcqt in the state he is in - no fit state.”

Another, @steve4319, tweeted: “Watching #bbcqt last night made me feel really sad. I've heard #charleskennedy speak when at his sharpest and he was incredible!”

Ex-England footballer Stan Collymore also gave his opinion, tweeting: “Seeing a lot of mocking towards Charles Kennedy. A good man who needs a little help. Like many people do now and again.”

During his first answer - on whether a Labour-SNP coalition would be a betrayal to English voters - Mr Kennedy meandered before claiming he had heard “clap trap” from the other panellists.

He then had to ask for a clarification of what the question was before continuing.

When asked for his views on the Jeremy Clarkson scandal , Mr Kennedy, the MP for Ross, Skye and Lochaber, said: “Jeremy Clarkson, the future, this is very politically incorrect of me, but, end of Gone With The Wind, frankly my dear, I don't give a damn.”

He also backed up fellow panellist Ian Hislop’s tale of the time Mr Clarkson threw a biro at the Have I Got News For You regular.

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A Lib Dem source told the Mail Online: “It was quite clear that he was not his usual self last night.”

Mr Kennedy stood down as Lib Dem leader in 2006 after his drink problem was made public.

In a statement: “Over the past 18 months I've been coming to terms with and seeking to cope with a drink problem, and I've come to learn through that process that a drink problem is a serious problem indeed.

“It's serious for yourself and it's serious for those around you. I've sought professional help and I believe today that this issue is essentially resolved.”

The BBC declined to comment, and no statement has yet come from Mr Kennedy's office.

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